Drying machine



March 13, 1928. 1,662,371

N. TROYER ET AL DRYING MACHINE Filed Sept. 24, 1.925 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 l NELSON YER NERT N 2100065 March 13, 1928.

N. TROYE'R ET AL DRYING MACHINE Filed Sept. 24, 1925 "7Sheet-Sheet 2 INVENTORS NELSON TfiorE/e N. 'TROYER ET AL DRYING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet s Filed Spt. 24, 1925 R 0 gm 00W mom 0 W .L MN 7 w 5 I T H mm M 4 4 lo 5 4 0 3 4 2 3 a 5: M m IA RM m a 5 I 9 I //A m, 4 Z Z a 2 4 4 r/ 3 w w 4.

March 13, 1928.

N. TROYER ET AL DRYING MACHINE Filed Sept. 24, 19 .5 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS NELSON 770 V5? NEWTON L, D0065 March 13, 1928.

N. TROYER ET AL DRYING MACHINE Filed Sept. 24, 1925 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 NELSON 77w: YER

NE ra/v L. DODGE |NVENTOR3 BY M 5 ATTORNEY March 13, 1928. 1,662,371

N. TROYER ET AL q DRYING MACHINE Filed Sept. 24,. 1925 7 Sheets$heet v Q a N Q v Q g.

v- M 3 .3" Q Q Q B R 2 lVELs ON TROYER NEfi 7 '0/v L DODGE Patented Mar. 13, 1928. UNITED STATES NELSON TBOYER AND MEBTON L. DODGE, OI SEATTLE, WABEIHG'ION.

name moanin- Application fled September as, me. man no. sense.

Thisinvention relates to improvements in drying machines for drying the thin coating of fluid sealing compound that is applied to the flanges of can ends for the purpose of insurin the sealing of the joint between the can be ies and ends when the latter are seamed over the bodiesthe machine being of that type wherein the can ends are advanced through the drying, chamber b the coaction of paired, rotata 1y driven s afts havin threads thereon for engaging with opposite sides of the can ends so that the latter will be advanced through the drying chamber incidental to rotation of the shafts.

The present invention is a further development of the drying machine described and illustrated in United States Patent N o.

1,308,208 issued July l, 1919, in which a single pair of elevating screws are emplo ed for elevating the can ends through the rying chamber; the above machine having been found inadequate for the present day needs on' account of its limited capacity and for the reason that to increase its ca acity would require that the drying cham or be extended to an undesirable height.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a drying machine for the above purpose having a capacity that is made materially greater than that of the previous machine by the rovision of a multiplicit of such paired lifting shafts and in whic the rate of drying is greatly accelerated by causing the several stacks of ends to be remeans whereby the lifter shafts are rotate and the entire set revolved about a central axis and in which provision is made for making the required adjustments for receiving can ends of different diameter without necessitating a. substitution or rearrangementof driving gears.

Another object is to provide means for efi'ectively heating the interior of, the drymg chamber and for creating a flow of air throu h the same.

Sti another object resides in the novel means provided for removing the can ends as they reach the discharge point at the upper ends of the revolving stacks.

Other objects reside in the various details of construction and, combination of parts embodied in the invention and in their mode of operation.

In accomplishing these objects we have provided the improved detai s o construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherem--- I I Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine.

Figure 3 is a central, vertical section through the drying chamber, particularly illustrating the elevating screws and the gearing for rotatin the screws and for rey'olving the stacks a out the central supportigure 4 1s a side elevatlon of the driving gears for the elevating screws, and their connections therewith.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the driving gears for the elevating screws and those of the compound ap lying machine with which the present maciiine 1S synchronized.

Fi ure 6 is a horizontal section-taken on the line 66 in Figure 3. 7

Pi ure 7 is a horizontal section taken on the line 7--7 in Figure 3.

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail view of arts of two paired lifting screws partieu arly illustrating the disposition and manner of lifting astack of can ends.

' Figure 9 is a detail sectional view showin parts of the heater, the revolving table an a air of'guide rods for a stack of can en s.

Figure 10 is a partial plan view and herizontal section taken through the heater.

Figure 11 is a detail view showin the nliletihod o f threading of the can end hfting s a ts.

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken on line 12-12 in Figure 3.

Figure 13 is a sectional detail showin the ejector pin for removing the can en s from the upper ends of the stacks.

Figure 14 is a detail, sectional view showingthe mounting of the can end guide rods and screws in the top end frame. I

Figure is a sectional detail illustrating means for-locking the central gear of the bined machines are synchronized so that as the ends-are delivered from the compound applying machine, they are fed into the drying machine to be taken up consecutively by the paired sets of lifting screws as the latter are rotated about a supporting axis.

Referring more in detail to the drawins- 11 Figures 1 and 2, we have illustrated a drying machine as used in connection with mechanism for applying'the scaling compound to the can ends. This latter mechanism will be but briefly described for the reason that it forms no part of the present invention and will be fully described in a separate application. As herein shown the machine comprises a base structure 1 supported at a suitable height by a plurality of legs 2.

There is a lateral extension 3 at one side of the base on which a feed mechanism, designated in its entirety by reference character 4, is mounted, and adjacent to this 1s the mechanism for applying the compound to the grooves of the can ends as they are delivered therethrough. The applying mechanism, designated as a whole by the referenee numeral 5, is carried by a revolving table 6 fitted within the base. The can ends to be treated and dried are arranged in a stack 7 Within a suitable guide 8 and are removed one at a time from the lower end of the stack and forwarded by the feed mechanism into a guideway 9 for advancement by a rotating turret 10 to the compound applying mechanism 5 which operates to apply the compound to the peripheral groove of the can ends and to deliver the ends into a guidewav 11 where they are taken up and advanced by a revolubly driven turret 12 into the drying chamber, which is designated in its entirety, by the reference numeral 13.

posts 15 are fixd to a ring 16 which, as will presently be described, serves as a suport' and guide within which the upper end rame of the structure, which supports the several stacks of can ends, is revolubly contained and held against lateral sway or vibration.

The walls of the drying chamber are formed from four sheet metal sections, see Figure 7, two of which forming opposite sides of the chamber, as designated at 17.-17', are fixed to the supporting posts while the other two, designated at 18-18, are hingedly mounted so that they will be swung open to give access to the interior of the chamber for the repair orreadjustment of arts or for the inspection of can ends.

be several can end lifting units are disposed within the heating chamber 13 about a centrally located, vertical shaft 20 which, at its lower end, is rotatably containedwithin and supported by a bearing 21 in a subframe structure 22. The upper end of the shaft 20 is keyed within the hub portion 23 of a circular end frame 24 having a depending peripheral flange 25 titted rotatably within the ring 16. Rollers 26 are mounted at spaced intervals on the ring 16 against which the flange of the and frame 24 operates, as shown in Figure 2, so that the upper end of the structure will rotate freely and at the same time be held against vibration or turret 32 provided with eight equally spaced laterally directed slots 33, in which bearing sleeves 34 are adjust-ably fixed for movement from or toward the shaft 20.

In the present machine we employ eight threaded lifter shafts 35 which are arranged at equal radial distances from the shaft 20 and are spaced apart the proper distance to receive the can ends between them and so that opposite edges of the ends will be taken up by the threads when the shafts are revolved. At their upper ends the shafts are provided with axial bores 36 for receiving downwardly projecting studs 37 that are mounted in the under side of the top frame 24, and at their lower ends extend revolubly through v and are supported by the bearings 34. All of the shafts are parallel with'carh other and with the shaft 20, and by rotation of the shaft 20 will be caused to revolve bodily thereabout. The eight lifter shafts are of the same size and are provided with threads of equal pitch and all the shafts are caused revolution about the shaft 20.

The means provided for rotating the lifter shafts 1s illustrated best in Figure 3 and Figure 5 wherein 4O designates short shafts,

eight in number, that are arrangedcircularly about the hub of the gear and are rotatably fixed in bearings 41. The upper ends 'of the shafts 40 are connected through uni-- versal and telescopic couplings 42 with the lower ends of corresponding lifter shafts,

and fixed to the lower end of each of these shafts 40 is a gear wheel 43 that travels in mesh with the teeth of a gear 44 formed about the upper end of the bearing 21. The

gear 44 is normally retained against rotation and since all of the gears 43 are of equal diameter and of the same diameter as the gear 44 it is apparent that, with each revo ution of the lifter shafts about the shaft 20 they are caused to rotate once about their own axes; the direction of rotation being such that a can end that is disposed between adjacent shafts and engaged by the threads of these shafts, will be lifted upwardly between them.

Keyed onto shaft 20 just above the turret 32 is a hub 50 having an annular flange 51 on which, a disk 53 is fixed. The disk is circular in form and is located flush with the top of the base plate 14 and rotates within an opening that is provided therefor in the base plate. The several lifter shafts extend "yfthrou'gh openings 54 provided in the disk and centrally through circular plates 55 that are seated within recesses 57 in the up- ;per face of the disk and which have slightly.

raised portions 58, see Figure 8, adjacent 'one side of the shaft whereby the can ends will be lifted and guided between threads of the shafts.

In operation, the lifter shafts are revolved bodily about the shaft 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 7, and the can ends which are designated by reference character E, are delivered into the drying chamber by the turret 12 which operates through a slot 60 left between the lower edge of the wall section 18 and the top surface of the base plate 14. The movement of the turretis so timed with the movement of the lifter shafts that the can ends will be delivered successively between the shafts.

As each can end is delivered into the dryer between a pair of shafts, its forward e'dge,"as shown in Figure 8, will be lifted by the raised portion 58' of a plate 55 so that the threads of the forward screw while the rearward edge slides into position-between threads of thefollowing screw. ,After the shafts have been revolved once about the dryer they will have been rotated once on their own axes and will first few have lifted the can ends so as toprovide for the intaking of other ends during the next vided a'circularly arranged row of vertical guide rods against which the inner edges of the stacked ends will enga e and another circularly arranged row of guide rods 66 against which the outer edges of the ends may engage. The guide rods 65 and 66 for each stack are located on radial lines that bisect the angles formed between each pair of shafts and center of the chamber. The inner guide rods 65are seated at their lower ends over studs 67 fixed in thedisk 53. and at their upper ends are slidably contained within holes 68 in the under face of the upper end frame 24. The outer guide rods 66 are likewise held at their upper ends in holes 69 in the end frame 24 but at their lower ends are seated'over studs 70 that are fixed in and which project upwardly from a rin 71, see Figure 9, that is supported from an in slightl spaced relation above the surface of the disk 53; the said ring, for the purpose of support, beingprovided on its under side with a plurality of bosses 72 through which pins, onscrew bolts, 73 are extended to hold the ring in place. It is required that thi ring be held spaced above the disk 53 in order that the turret 12 may operate to deliver the can ends between the paired shafts without interfering with the guide rods 66. For the purpose of retaining the can ends between the screws during the revolutions of the stacks after the ends have been delivered into the chamber and until they have been elevated sufficiently to be held against outward movement by the guide rods .66, we have provided the guide ring 75, as shown best in Fi ures 6 and 7, which is supported from the ase 14 concentrically about shaft 20 and is held in place by bolts 76. The inner edge of the ring projects beneath the edge of the ring 71, as shown in Figures 6 and 9, so that Its inner edge is'in line with the inner edge of the guide rods 66.

If, for any reason, it should be desired to remove the can ends from a stack, the guide rods 66 or 65 may be lifted upwardly to free their lower ends from the retaining studs, 67 and 70, and they may then be ,moved laterally and lowered to free their about the shaft 20 at the base of the chammunicates with the burner chamber through a plurality of ports 83. Gas is delivered into the shaft here from a source of supply through a pipe 84 connected, as shown in Figure 3.

The upper wall of the burner housing is provided with a plurality of openings 88 for urner tips 89 through which the gas is delivered and burned. With this type of burner the interior of the chamber can be maintained at a high degree of heat and the can ends properly dried in a minimum amount of time. Air is withdrawn from the heating chamber through a side opening 115 at its lower end, see Figure 7, with which a stack or suction fan pipe 116 may be connected, and in order that this suction may not cause the vflame of the burner to be drawn toward the opening 115 and thus unevenly heat the chamber, a battle plate 115' is placed at a spaced distance in front of the opening which causes the air to be taken from opposite sides of the chamber.

As the can ends of the several stacks reach the top end of the drying chamber they are advanced through openings 90 in the top plate 24 and brought into engagement with an ejector pin 91 that is held by a bracket 92 which in turn is supported from the ring 16, as shown in Figure 2. This pin causes the ends to be discharged into adelivery chute 93. To provide for proper positioning or adjustment of the pin 91, one end of the bracket is provided with a slot 94 in Which the pin is adjustable in a direction radially of the chamber and at its other end'has a slot 95 through which the mountv in bolts 96 extend and which provides for ad usting the bracket toward or from the chute.

I In order that the stacks of can ends may, after entering the openings in the top plate 24, have sufficient rigidity to insure proper removal of the ends by the ejector pin91 without upsetting or disalining the stack, we have made these openings of considerable length, as is shown in Figure 14,

so that the'ends, after passing from the threads of the lifter screws will stack up within the openings and will be held perfectly level thereby. v

The ejector 'pin 91 is'vertically slidable within a bushing 115 locked within the slot 94 of the supporting arm 92 and is yieldable upwardly against pressure of a spring 116 contained within the bushing and bearing downwardly against a shoulder 117 on the pin. At the lower end of the pin is ahead 118 having conically formed upper and lower surfaces meeting in a sharp edge as at 120. I At the upper end of the pin are lock times irregularities in the support of the stacks that will cause them to set unevenly. If the end sets too low, the inclined lower surface of the head ofthe pin will cause it to slide upwardly and overthestack without causing damage to the end. A feature of construction in the present machine resides in the threading of the lifter shafts. As shown best in Figure 11, the shafts are first provided with spirally formed grooves 98 of the required pitch and then a fiat strip or ribbon 99 is wound tightly therein to form the threads whereby the ends are lifted.

The train of gears whereby the machines are driven is shown in Figure 5 wherein 100 designates a pulley about which a belt may operate. The pulley is'mounted on a shaft 101 which carries a gear 102 that drives a gear 103 on a vertical shaft 104. Shaft 104 carries a gear 105 that drives gears 106 and 107 mounted respectively on shafts 108 and '109 which operate'the feed, mechanism and compound applying device. Gear 106 0perates to drive a gear 110 on shaft 111 which carries the turret 12 and a gear 113 on the lower end of shaft 111 drives master gear 30, whereby the operation of the elevating screws is controlled.

With the parts so constructed and assembled it is apparent that the can ends delivered into the chamber will be. taken u successively between the shafts and Wlll be gradually elevated through the drying chamber and finally delivered into the chute.

To adjust the shafts for the reception of ends of diflerent diameters the upper end frame 24 and disk 53 would be replaced by arts of the required size, and the shafts adusted to the proper place by adjusting the bearings 34 in the slots 33 of the turret 32. The selected end plate 24 would be equipped with openings for the reception of the upper ends of the guide rods 65 and 66 and would also carry-studs for supporting the upper ends of the lifting screws.

The driving gears require no adjustment or rearrangement because of the universal, adjustable connections between the lower ends of the lifter shafts and the shafts carried by the gears 30 and driven by gears 43.

To provide for the cleaning of the elevating screws which sometimes become clogged with compound from an over supply during application, we have provided for mechanically rotating the screws without revolving them about the central axis 20. Then by holding a brush or cloth against the rotating screws they may be cleaned.

and have fixed a sprocket w neeae'n For. this purpose we have provided for releasing the bearing 21which carries gear 44 for rotation within the supporting frame eel 125 on the lower end of the bearing 21, see Figure 3, that is alined with' a sprocket 126 on the lower end of shaft 111 and about these may be extended a chain belt 128 as'shown in move about the centre axis. During a dryand the pin held dlsengaged rom the dotted lines. It is then necessary to disengage gear from giar 113; and this is done b removing the its 14 which hold base p ate 14 in base 1, then, shifting the plate 14 and the entire drying mechanism, which is carried therEby, outwardl about one-half an inch. Then, when she t 111 is driven, all of the screws will. be'rotated through rotation of ear'44, but Wlll not ing operation, the chain 128 is removed and the gears 30 and 113 are held in mesh. The means provided for normally holdin the bearing 21 and gear 44 against rotation is shown in Figure 15 andv comprises a pin 129 that is mounted in a bushing 130 threaded into the bearin portion 131 of sub-frame 22 within which t e bearing 21 is located and which is adapted to seat at its inner and within a kc slot 134 in the bearing 44. A s rin 135 ears against a shoulder 136 on he pm to hold it seated, but this may be depressed by pulling outwardl on the In y slot by rotating it so as to cause a stud 138 therein, which normally is disposed within slots 139 in the bushing 1, to seat against its end.

Having thus described our invention,

what we claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters-Patent, is:

1. In a drying machine of the character described, a. dryin chamber and can end advancing means w iereby each can end delivered into the chamber is caused to be revolved about the axis ofthe advancing means and also to rotate about its own axes,

and means for causing air to. bedrawn into the chamber and delivered laterally through the stacks.

2. In a drying machine of the character described, a drying chamber and means for advancing can en s therethrough in stacks and for revolving the stacks about the axes of the advancing means and about their own axes as they are advanced, and means for causing air to be drawn through the stacks.

3. In a drying machine. of the character described, an annular drying chamber, means for delivering can ends to the drying chamber and a can end elevatingmeans for advancin the can ends throu h the drier in vertical stacks and where y the stacks are caused, to -revolve bodily about the axes of the drying chamber and to ro-" the discharge end'of the chamber, means for heat ng air within the stacks and means for causm the heated air to be drawn out throng the stacks.

4. in a can end drying machine, a hi.- rahtyof threaded shafts arranged circularly and in parallel relation about a coon axis, means for rotating said shafts and for revolving them bodily about the axis.

5. In a can end dryin machine, a plurality of threaded lifter s afts arranged cincularly and in parallel, spaced relation about a common axis, means for revolvin the shafts bodily about the axis and for rotating them as the revolve and means tor feeding can ends etween the shafts as they revolve. 6, In a can end drying machine, a plurahty of threaded lifter shafts arranged circularly and in parallel relation about a common axis, means for revolving the shafts bodily about the said axis, means for delivering can ends between the else they are revolved and means for rotating the shafts once with each revolution thereof.

7. In a can end drying machine, a drying chamber having a receiving opening, a plurality of threaded lifter shafts arranged circularly and in parallel relation about a central axis within said chamber, means for revolvixig the shafts bodil about said axis, means or rotating the s afts as they revolve and means for delivering can ends into the chamber through said receiving opening and between successive shafts as they pass said opening.

8. In a can end dryin drical drying chamber opening at its lower end mounted coaxially of said chamber, a plurality of'threaded litter shafts su ported by and arranged circularly about sai shaft, means for revolving said shafts bodil about the drive shaft, means for rotatin t e lifter shaft on their axes as the revo ve, means for feeding can ends throng said receiving 0 ening'between successive lifter shafts as t my pass the openin and means for removin the'can ends mm between the several s afts as said ends reach the top of the chamber.

9. A can end dryin machine comprisin a plurality of can on lifter units dlspo concentrically about a common axis, each unit embracing a pair of spaced, rotative threaded lifter shafts and a gear train to rotate said shafts on their axes and to revolve said units about said common axis.

10. A can end dryin machine comprisin a plurality of can en lifter. units disposed concentrically about a common .axis, each unit embracing a 'pair of spaced, rotative threaded lifter shafts and a gear train to rotate said shafts on their axes and to revolve said units about said coon axis;

said lifter shafts being adjustable toward or from each other to adapt the machine to can ends of various diameters without requirin adjustment of the gear train.

11. n a can end drying machine, a plurality of can end lifting units com rising a 'central shaft, a plurality of threa ed lifter the central shaft and operating in mesh,

with the fixed gear.

12. A can end drying machine comprising a plurality of can end lifter units disposed concentrically about a common axis, each unit embracing a pair of spaced, rotative threaded lifter shafts and a gear train to rotate said shafts on their axes and to revolve said units about said common axis, said lifter shaft gears and said fixed gear being of equal pitch diameter whereby one revolution of the lifter shafts bodily about the central shafts causes them to rotate once on their own axes.

13. In a can end drying machine, a plurality of can end lifting units comprisin a central, driven shaft, a plurality of threa ed lifter shafts arranged circularly about the driven shaft and adjustable from and toward the same to receive can ends of various diameters, a driving gear on the central shaft, a gear coaxial of the central shaft and fixed against rotation, a drivin gear for eachof the lifter shafts carriedIiythe driving gear of the central shaft in mesh with the fixed gear, and a driven gear operating in mesh with the driving gear of the central shaft.

14. In a can end drying machine, a plurality of can end lifting units comprising a central, driven shaft, a plurality of threaded lifter shafts arranged circularly about the driven shaft and adjustable from and toward the same to receive can ends of various diameters, a driving gear on the central shaft, a gear coaxial of the central shaft and fixed against rotation, a dr ving gear for each of the lifter shafts carried by the dr ving ear of the central shaft 111 mesh with the xed gear, and a driven gear operating in mesh with the driving gear of thecen- .tral shaft and flexible driving connections shafts and their driving ears to compensatefor adjustment of the said shafts toward or fromeaelrother.

15. In a can end drying machine, a cylindrical drying chamber, a shaft mounted centrally of the-chamber, a turret fixed on the shaft -adjacent the base of the chamber having a plurality of radially d rected slots therein, bearings mounted in said slots and adjustable from and toward the central shaft, can end lifting shafts mounted in said between said lifter central shaft, a gear coaxia of the driving gear and fixed against rotation, stub shafts mounted in the driving gear, gears fixed on said stub shafts'in mesh with said fixed gear and universal connections between the lower ends of the lifter shafts and said stub shafts.

16. A cairend drying machine compr sin a plurality of can end lifter units disposed concentrically about a common axis, each .unit embracing a pair of spaced, rotative,

threaded lifter shafts, means for revolving said shafts about the common axis and for rotating them on their axes as they revolve, a drum encircling said lifter units, and forming a drying chamber, means for feeding can ends to the lifter units at a common point at the base of the chamber and for removing them at a common point at the top of the chamber.

17. A can end drying machine comprising a plurality of can end lifter units disposed concentrically about a common axis, each unit ei'nbracing a pair of spaced, rotative, threaded lifter shafts, means for revolving said shafts about the common axis and for rotating them on their axes as they revolve, a drum encircling said lifter units, and forming a drying chamber, means for feed.- ing can ends to the lifter units at a comfor removing them at a common point at the top of the chamber and a chute for recciving the ends as they are delivered from the top of the chamber.

18. In a can end drying machine, a dryin chamber, a driven shaft centrally thereo a plurality of threaded can end litter shafts arranged. circularly about and supported from the central shaft, means ,for revolving the shafts bodily means for rotating the shafts as they are thus revolved, means for feeding can ends to the lifter shafts and a heating device withinvthe chamber.

19. In a can end drying machine, a dryin chamber, a driven shaft centrally thereo provided witlra central bore and lateral openings from said bore, a gas burner dis- Inn about the central shaft,

with said bore through said openings, a gas supply pipe connected with said bore to supply said burner and a pluralit of can end lifter units carried by and M apted to be rotated by said driven shaft wi'thln the drying' chamber.

20. In a can end drying machine, a frame structure, a drum on said frame, forming a drying chamber, a shaft supported from its lower end chamber, a plate fixed to the upper end of the shaft to revolve therewith and to close the upper end'of the chamber, a turret fixed to the lower portion of the shaft to revolve to extend centrally of the drying therewith, a plurality of threaded lifter shafts arrange circularly about the central shaft in parallel, spaced relation, means for revolving the central shaft and lifter shafts and for rotating the lifter shafts as they revolve, means for heating the chamber, means for feeding can ends to the lifter shafts at the base of the chamber, and means for removing them as they reach the top of the chamber.

21. In a can and drying machine, a rigid frame structure, a drying chamber, a ring fixed horizontally within the top of the frame structure, a driven shaft supported from its lower end coaxially of the chamber, a circular end plate fixed to the. shaft to close the upper end of the chamber, rollers mounted in said ring and operable a ai'nst the periphery of the plate and a plum ity of can end lifter units su ported rom the shaft gnd'revoluble there y in the drying cham- 22. In a can end drying machine, a base structure, a rigid, cylindrical drying chamber mounted on sand base, a ring carried within the upper end of the dryin ,chamber rollers carried by said ring, a sha t mounted coaxially of the chamber, a circular end plate fixed to the shaft and closing the upper end of the chamber and operable on said rollers; said plate having openings therein, a turret mounted on the shaft toward its lower end, a plurality of threaded lifter shafts arranged circularly about the central shaft and rotatably mounted at their upper and lower ends respectively in said end plate and turret and operable for the lifting of can ends upwardly between them and through said top plate openings.

23. In a can end 'lrying machine, a base structure, a cylindrical drying chamber mounted on said base, a ring carried within the upper end of the dryin chamber, rollers carried by said ring, a shaft mounted icoaxially of the chamber, a circular end plate fixed to the shaft and closing the upper end of the chamber and operable on sai rollers, said plate having openings therein, a turret mounted on the shaft toward its lower end, a plurality of threaded lifter shafts arranged circularly about the central shaft and rotatably mounted at their upper and lower ends respectively in said end plate and turret and operable for the lifting of can ends upwardly between them and through said plate openings, means for revolving the to lifter shafts bodily about central shaft and for rotating them as they revolve, means for feeding can ends into the chamber to said shafts and means for dislodging the can ends from the top 'of the stacks as they are advanced through the top plate openings 24. In a can end drying machine, a base structure havinga circular; opening, a c lindrical drying chamber mpunted vertical y 1 ings therethroug on the sha t near its lower end, a

onthe base about said openingia-sub-frame structure beneath the base, a s aft mounted coaxially of the drying chamber and r0- tatably supported at its lower and within said sub-frame structure, a plate fixed to the upper: end of the shaft to close the upper en of the dryin chamber and having 0 ena turret fixed to the s aft adjacent its lower end, a plurality of threaded lifter shafts arranged circularl about the central shaft and supported at their upper and lower ends respectively in said end plate and turret, a table fixed to the shaft ush with said base and rovided with openings through which said lifter shafts extend, means for revolving the central shaft and lifter shafts and for rotatin the lifter shafts, means for feeding can en s onto said table and between the li er shafts.

25. In a can end dryin machine, a base structure having a circu ar openin a cylindrical dr ing chamber mounte vertically on the base about said opening, a subframe structure beneath the base, a shaft mounted coaxially of the dryin chamber and rotatably supported at 1tSOW8P end within said sub-frame structure, a plate fixed to the upper end of the shaft to close the upper end of the drying chamber, and having openin s therethrough, a turret fixed to the shaft a d'acent its lower end, a plurality of threaded lifter shafts arranged clrcularly about the central shaft and supported at their upper and lower ends res ectively in said end plate and turret, a ta le fixed to the shaft flush with said base and provided with openings throu h which said lifter shafts exten means or revolving the central shaft and lifter shafts and for rotating the liftershafts, means for feedin can ends onto said table and between the li ter shafts and guide rods revoluble with the lifter shafts whereby the ends are retained in contact with the shafts and the several stacks are guided through the openings in the end plate. a

26. In a can end drying machine, a can end lifting device comprising a central, rotatably supported, vertical shaft, a turret mounted about said shaft near its lower end, a plate fixed to the upper end of the,

shaft, havin studs fixed in the under face thereof, n p urality of rotatable, threaded lifter shafts arranged circularly about the central shaft and rotatably mounted at their lower ends in said turret and having axial bores in studs.

27. In a can end drying machine, a can end lifting device com rising a central -rotatably sup orted' shaft a turret mounlted p ate mounted on the upper end of the shaft having a lurality-of circularly arranged openings t erethrough and provided with two their upper ends for receiving said circularly arranged rows of sockets in its under face respectively outside and inside of said row of openings, a plurality of threaded can end lifting shafts supported in parallel spaced relation circularly about the central shaft by said turret and end plate and operable to advance can ends upwardly between the shafts and through the top plate openings, two circularly arranged rows of studs mounted on the turret in corresponding relation to the sockets of the end plate,

and tubular can end guide rods disposed with their upper ends in said Fockets and their lower ends about said studs.

28. In a can end drying machine, an upright drying chamber, a revoluble series of can end lifter units disposed concentrically about the axis of the chamber, a chute for receiving can ends dislodged from the upper ends of the units, and a dislodging device comprising an arm mounted to overlie the path of the revolving units and a pin extended downwardly therefrom to engage with the can ends to eau-e them to be advanced into the chute.

29. A device as in claim 28 wherein the arm is adjustably mounted toward or from the axial line of the drying chambe and the pin is adjustable therein to compensate for adjustment of the lifter units for ends of various diameters.

30. In a can end drying machine, an upright drying chamber, a. revoluble series of can end lifter units disposed concentrically about the axis of the chamber, a chute for receiving can ends dislodged from the upper ends of the units, and a dislodging device comprisin an arm mounted to overlie the path of 'ie revolving units and a pin extended downwardly therefrom to engage with the can ends to cause them to be advanced into the chute; said pin being yieldable upwardly within its mounting.

31. In a, can end drying machine, an upright drying chamber, a revoluble series of can end-lifter units disposed concentrically about the axis of the chamber, a chute for receiving can ends dislodged from the upper ends of the units, and a dislodging device comprising an arm mounted to overlie the path of the revolving units, a bushing mounted in said arm, a pin mounted slidably in said bushing and extended downwardly therefrom to engage the can ends, a spring within-the bushing and engaging the pin to yieldahly retain it at its'lower limit of travel and a nut on the pin for adjusting it vertically.

32. In a can end drying machine, an upright drying chamber, a revoluble series of can end lifter units disposed concentrically about the axis of the chamber, a chute for receiving can ends dislodged from the upper ends of the units, and a. dislodging device comprising an arm mounted to overlie the path of the revolving units, a bushing mounted in said arm, a pin mounted slidably, in said, bushing and extended downwardly therefrom, a flattened conical head at the lower end of pin having a sharpened peripheral edge, means for yieldably retaining the pin against upward movement and means for adjusting the pin vertically.

33. In a can end drying machine, a plurality of can end lifting units comprising a central shaft, a plurality of threaded lifter shafts arranged circularly about and supported from the central shaft, a driving gear on the central shaft, driving gears for each of the lifter shafts supported by the gear on the central shaft, a gear mounted coaxially of the central shaft in mesh with the gears of the lifter shafts and a relea able locking device for normallyretaining said central gear against rotation and means operable when said locking device is released for rotating said gear.

34. in a can and drying machine, a base structure, a driven shaft, a gear on said shaft, a sprocket wheel on said shaft, a drying mechanism comprising a base plate adjustable on said base structure, a plurality of can and lifter units carried by said base plate comprising a central shaft, a plurality of threaded lifter shafts arranged circularly about and supported from the central shaft, a driving gear fixed on the central shaft normally in mesh with the first n'ientioned gear but adapted to be disengaged therefrom by shifting the adjustable base plate, driving gears for each of the lifter shafts supported by the gear on the central shaft, a gear mounted eoaxially of the central shaft in mesh with all the lifter shaft gears, a releasable locking device for the central gear whereby it may be held against rotation, at sprocket. fixed to the last .named gear in ahnement with the first named sprocket to receive a driving chain thercabout. a

35. In acan end drying machine,a plurality of can end lifting units disposed concentrically about a common axis, "each unit embracing a pair of rotative, threaded lifter shafts, a gear train for rotating said shafts on their axes and to revolve said units about the central axis and means for effecting the rotation of said shafts without causing them to revolve about the central axis.

36. In a can end drying machine, a base structure, a central, driven shaft, a turret fixed on the shaft toward its lower end, anend frame fixed to the upper end of the shaft, a

plurality of threaded lifter shafts arranged about the central shaft and supported at.

their ends by said turret and 'upper end frame and operable for lifting can ends upwardly between them; said upper end frame having cylindrical openingstherethrough of substantial length alined with the lifting units within which said ends will be delivered and stacked, and means for ejectim the ends from the stack "as they advance mm the said openings.

37. A can end drying machine com risin a plurality of can end lifter units dispose concentrically about a common axis, each unit embracing a pair of spaced, rotative, threaded lifter shafts, and a gear train to rotate said shafts on their axes and to revolve said units'about saidcommon axis.

38. .A can end drying machine comprising a plurality of can end lifter units disposed concentrically about a common axis, each unit embracing a air of spaced, rotative, threaded lifter sha ts, a. gear train to rotate said shafts on their axes and to revolve said units about said common axis, a drum enclosing said units and means for circulating drying air through said drum and among can ends supported on the lifter shafts of said units. a

39. A can end drying machine comprising a drum enclosing a drying chamber, means for slowly raising cans in spaced, stack formation through said chamber, and means for discharging drying air laterally through the spaces between said can ends.

40. In a can end drying machine, a drying chamber, means to lift the can ends therethrough in vertically spaced stack formation, automatic means to dislodge can ends from the upper end of said stack formation, and a runway to receive said can ends and direct them from the machine and provided at its receiving end with a' flaring, inclined chute to directly receive the dislodged ends and to deliver them to said runway.

41. In acan end. dryin machine, a drying chamber, means to lift tie can ends therethrough in vertically spaced stack formation, automatic means to dislodge can ends from the upper end of said stack formation, and a downwardly inclined runway for said can ends provided at its upper end with an inclined chute adapted directly to receive can ends as they are dislodged and to transfer them to said runway.

42. A can end drying machine comprisin a plurality of can end lifter units (liSPOStK concentrically about a common axis, each unit embracing a pair of spaced, rotative, threaded lifter shafts, a gear train to rotate said shafts on their axes and to revolve said units about said common axis, and means to adjust the shafts of each pair towards and from each other to adapt the machine to can ends of different diameters.

43. A can end drying machine comprising a drying chamber having a top opening for the inlet of air, an air heating device within the base of the drying chamber, means for delivering can on s upwardly through the chamber and means for withdrawing air from the chamber at the base to-ereate adownward circulation of air against the upwardly traveling column of heated air.

Signed at Seattle, Kin County, Washington, this 18th day of J u y, 1925.

NELSON TROYER. MERTON L. DODGE. 

